These easy coffee filter flowers for kids are excellent ways to enjoy creative and frugal crafts.
If you need a simple and budget-friendly project that your children can make for DIY gifts and more, you’ll love these colorful paper flowers. All you need are three simple supplies (coffee filters, markers, and pipe cleaners) and you’re ready to make beautiful flowers that can brighten up any room. Whether you’re celebrating spring, summer, or looking for a handmade touch for Mother’s Day, these flowers are a great homemade gift idea. Plus, they look extra cute in a mason jar or vase!
I’m sharing step-by-step instructions (with pictures) plus creative ways to enjoy for learning and just because.
Delightful DIY Flowers You’ll Love
Are you getting ready for a special event that could use some homemade decorations or gifts? Maybe you need a simple project that your children can enjoy for screen-free time or rainy day fun?
Well, these easy coffee filter flowers are lovely for all of those things and more!
My oldest went to a sweet little preschool. His teachers would always wow me with their creativity, especially with crafts. When he presented me with a variation of this flower coffee filter craft, I knew that we had to recreate it at home.
After a few attempts, he and I came up with this version of DIY flowers made from coffee filters. He was so excited and made a bunch for family and friends.
Over the years, I’ve enjoyed this activity with all of my five boys so I’m super excited to share with you.
Suggested Supplies for This Flower Craft
I really appreciate that this project uses only a few materials – and I hope you do, too! You’ll want to make sure you have these supplies ready to go to make your craft experience stress-free.
- 2 coffee filters per flower ( You can use more!)
- Washable markers
- Scissors
- Spray bottle with water
- Pipe cleaners (green works well for stems)
If you want to experiment and try other supplies, you can use watercolor paints or tempera paint sticks (like Kwik Stix). You’ll get a slightly different final product but you might like it even better.
How to Make These Easy Coffee Filter Flowers
Fold the Coffee Filters and Cut Petal Shapes.
Take two coffee filters and stack them together. Fold them in half. Fold them in half again. Fold one more time to create a wedge shape.
Using scissors, cut a rounded or pointed shape along the open edges to form petals. Unfold the filters to reveal flower-like shapes.
Color the Coffee Filters.
Use washable markers to color the coffee filters. You can create patterns, blend colors, or make a rainbow effect.
Spray the Coffee Filters with Water.
Wet the filters with a spray bottle. The colors will spread and create a watercolor effect. Allow the filters to dry completely.
Shape the Flowers.
Once dry, pinch the middle of one coffee filter and twist tightly. Repeat with the second coffee filter. Put the two (or more) coffee filters together for a fuller flower.
Attach the Stem.
Wrap a pipe cleaner several times around the twisted centers of both coffee filters to secure them. Twist the pipe cleaner tightly to hold the flower in place and leave the rest as the stem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This craft is perfect for kids of all ages. Younger kids can help with coloring and arranging the flowers. Older children can practice their fine motor skills by twisting the pipe cleaners and adding their own personal touches to each flower.
I think it’s a good idea to follow the tutorial at first. Once you are comfortable with how it works, tweak! You can add more coffee filters to your pipe cleaner stem for a fuller flower. Try different colors, even a rainbow!
While coffee filters work because they absorb colors well, paper towels or tissue paper can be used as a substitute, if needed. The final product might look slightly different but that’s part of the creative process, right!
Clever Ideas for Making and Using These Homemade Flowers
Want a sparkly effect for your flowers? You can use a glitter marker, paints, or pipe cleaners. Also, when your coffee filters are dry, you can add a bit of glue to the edges and dip in glitter.
In place of pipe cleaners for stems, you can try popsicle sticks (that you color and customize) or drinking straws.
Think outside the box when it comes to using and sharing your coffee filter flowers. A few ideas to get you started are:
- part of a spring or flower-themed classroom display
- as gift tags
- to decorate gift boxes
- in a bouquet for a gift (especially Mother’s Day!)
- in a vase, mug, or other container for homemade decorations
More Frugal Activities for Kids to Try
Doesn’t this flower activity look fantastic? If you’d like more ways to keep your kids busy and spark creativity, go ahead and try some of our other projects, like:
